System and method for monitoring usage of an information kiosk

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system that includes at least one information kiosk, a server connected to the at least one information kiosk, a local network, and a plurality of browser-enabled computing devices connected to the server via the local network; wherein, the server is configured to alert one or more of the browser-enabled computing devices regarding a user of the information kiosk. The information kiosk is navigable, preferably by touch using a touch screen. In an embodiment, the touch screen includes at least one help widget that a user can select so as to be provided with assistance in real time. Browser-enabled computing device users have the opportunity to review assistance requests in the customer alert queue, and either accept or reject the assistance requests. In another embodiment, the system can generate strategic alerts without an express request for assistance from the user of the information kiosk.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for monitoring an informational kiosk, comprising:
 at least one information kiosk;   a server connected to the at least one information kiosk;   a local network; and   a plurality of browser-enabled computing devices connected to the server via the local network;   wherein, the server is configured to alert one or more of the browser-enabled computing devices regarding a user of the information kiosk, and the one or more alerted browser-enabled computing devices are each configured to accept the alert.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the information kiosk is navigable by touch using a touch screen. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the information kiosk provides products and/or services information during navigation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the touch screen includes at least one help widget. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the alerted browser-enabled computing devices are alerted by
 the server responsive to the user activating the help widget.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server alerts the alerted browser-enabled computing devices by placing alert information into a customer alert queue,
 allowing one of the alerted browser-enabled computing devices to accept to the alert.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein after an alerted browser-enabled computing device accepts the
 alert, the alert information is removed from the customer alert queue.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server captures information as to user's current navigation position at the information kiosk, and
 provides such information along with the alert to the customer alert queue.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the alerted browser-enabled computing device accepting the alert provides information regarding interactions with the user. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the information kiosk is placed within a bank branch, the local network is a branch network, and the browser-enabled computing devices include banking personnel browser-enabled computing devices. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alert is provided to the one or more alerted browser-enabled computing devices in real time. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server captures user information and navigation history. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein only certain of the browser-enabled computing devices is selected for the alert, based at least in part on the navigation of the user and available personnel expertise. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein after the alert, the server receives from the browser-enabled computing device customer interaction information.